Robin Hoods Bay

This is one of the first places many people come to along the Yorkshire Coast, but most come back with nothing, unless they know where and what to look for. The middle of the bay consists of boulder clay, but either side can be quite productive.

DIRECTIONS

♦ At Robin Hood’s Bay village, you can park in either the small car park at the top of the hill or the second larger one just a short walk away.
♦ From here, the best end to visit is the north side. You will find a footpath at the top of the hill, to the left of the main street leading to the beach. This winds round and passes a picnic area.
♦ You can also visit the south and middle part of the bay. To do this, go down into the main street at the bottom of the hill and follow round to the right. You will see some steps, which follow the sea defence and lead to the shore.
♦ Ref: 54.43442°N, 0.53079°W

PROFILE INFO

FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦ – Robin Hood’s Bay yields excellent ammonites, but you need to work for these. The best area to collect from is the north side.CHILDREN: ♦♦ – Due to the dangerous access to this location, young children should not visit this site.ACCESS: ♦♦♦ – You should park at the top of the cliff and there is a footpath down to the beach.TYPE: – Most fossils can be found on the foreshore, within nodules or loose. Fossils are also commonly seen in the cliff, on the scree slopes, and in the rocks and boulders.

FOSSIL HUNTING

Most fossils are found either from the foreshore exposures during scouring conditions or in rocks, boulders and nodules. They can also be found after cliff falls.

Search the rocks on the foreshore. Ammonites can often be found this way, but you will need the right tools. It is unlikely you will find fossils simply loose on the foreshore, as you normally have to work for finds at this location. Robin Hood’s Bay yields little during the summer months and it is often only after winter storms that finds are made. The north side of the bay can be rich in ammonite remains and these can mostly be found after cliff falls. Ammonites (Platypleuroceras, Tropidoceras, Acanthopleuroceras and Androgynoceras) can be found, along with the large bivalve, Pinna. Within the calcareous shales, exposed in the low tide reefs at the centre of the bay, you can find the ammonites, Arnioceras and Caenisites.

GEOLOGY

The geology is Jurassic as follows: Bajocian, 170 to 177mya; Aalenian, 177 to 180.1mya; Toarcian (Late Lias), 180 to 190mya; and Pliensbachian (Middle & Early Lias), 190 to 195mya. The rocks are dark grey marine shales from the Redcar Mudstone Formation.

SAFETY

Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and knowledge of tide times is essential. This part of the coastline is very dangerous as a result of tidal conditions, so make sure you return before the tide turns. Keep away from the base of the cliffs, as rock falls are very common. Hard hats are recommended.

EQUIPMENT

A good eye is essential and often all you will need but a hammer and splitting chisel are recommended at this location. A lump hammer will also come in handy if you plan to break large rocks and try your luck. Suitable footwear should also be worn. Any fossils should be wrapped well and placed carefully into containers.

ACCESS RIGHTS

This site is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). This means you can visit the site, but hammering the bedrock is not permitted. For full information about the reasons for the status of the site and restrictions, download the PDF from Natural England

Share this:

Like this:

Related

UKGE

UKGE Limited, specialists in one of the largest ranges of Earth Science Equipment in the World. Our product range includes geological tools and field equipment, fossils, rocks and crystals, maps and lapidary.
UKGE Limited, has an established international reputation and own the highly acclaimed, 'Deposits Magazine' and UK Fossils Network. We have a true desire to continue our policy to care for our many clients.

Upcoming Events

The Stamford and Geological Society ( Dr Christopher Jeans)December 14, 2016Tinwell Village Hall near Stamford.An evening with Dr Christopher Jeans Talk titled: Murder and geochemistry began at Christmas 1999: a personal viewpoint. Christopher Jean’s Research Interests. Christopher Jeans is a self-supported consultant post-doctoral worker, and an affiliated member of the QPG. He is a research earth scientist specialising in the geology, petrology and geochemistry of sedimentary rocks and soils…

The Stamford and District Geological Society. (Plesiosaurs)January 11, 2017Tinwell Village Hall, near StamfordRichard Forrest a Vertebrate palaeontologist, specialising in plesiosaurs and other marine reptiles. Will host a talk titled : PSYCHO KNIVES AND WITHERS WEDGES—EXCAVATING A PLESIOSAUR This event is free to members of The Stamford and District Geological Society. And for visitors a charge of £3 please. You can also apply for membership on the night.…

UKAFH Whitehaven, CumbriaJanuary 22, 2017Whitehaven, CumbriaThe foreshore and cliffs at Whitehaven are famed for their Carboniferous plant remains. Many of the plant fossils that can be obtained here are of exceptional preservation and whilst the section in the cliff provides good collecting opportunities, the section of foreshore beneath exposes beds of Bolsovian age (311.7-306.5 Mya, formerly Westphalian C)

Stamford and District Geological Society.February 8, 2017Tinwell Village Hall near StamfordAn evenings talk by Colin Prosser on The History of Geological Conversation. Full details to follow. The event is free to members of The Stamford and District Geological Society and for visitors a charge of £3 please. You can also apply for the membership on the night. Link: http://www.stamfordgeolsoc.org/event/an-evening-with-dr-colin-prosser/